Real Mom Reviews

By Julie McKinley

Milestones App
Available for Apple and Android, Milestones is an app (the first of its kind) that lets parents track their child’s development on their smartphones. The app’s creators recognize that no two children develop at exactly the same rate and, as a result, the app is tailored to each individual child’s needs. For those who struggle with keeping the baby book up to date, this is ideal! FREE (with paid upgrade options), LyfeLine.co

BabySteps Scratch-Off Calendar
Featuring 236 pregnancy and baby facts and tips for new parents, this scratch-off calendar helps the days of pregnancy fly by faster! There is one new square to scratch off every day of pregnancy from week 9 to week 38. This is a fun way to involve older siblings in learning about how their baby brother or sister is developing! $20, Amazon.com

The Whole Life Fertility Plan by Kyra Phillips and Jamie Grifo, MD, PhD
If you’re trying to get pregnant, you may be wondering what you can do to improve your odds. This book explores ideas about how your surroundings and your diet play a role in your ability to conceive. Touching on the subjects of food choices, medicine, chemical exposure and much more, this comprehensive guide may give you some confidence as you begin your journey to parenthood. $16, Amazon.com

Puj Flyte
Bath time is made easy with this tub that can be used at home or on the go (it folds small enough to fit in a suitcase)! It fits in most pedestal and countertop sinks and alleviates the backache that comes from bathing little ones in the tub. There are no buttons or fasteners involved in setup—just pop it in the sink. Baby will be comfy and secure, and you’ll appreciate the mold-resistant material that dries in seconds. $34.99, Puj.com

Munchkin Miracle 360° Trainer Cup
After surviving my share of sippy cup disasters, I was excited to find this cup that’s perfect for babies and toddlers (it’s aimed at 6+ months). Kids can drink from anywhere around the rim, which helps support proper mouth muscle development. There are no straws or spouts, and kids think they’re pretty important with a big kid cup—but the no-spill feature is definitely my favorite part! $6, Munchkin.com

NogginStik Developmental Light Up Rattle
This new toy, winner of the 2016 Bump Best of Baby Awards, encourages early milestones in infants. The head lights up with red, green and blue—which helps Baby learn visual tracking. It features fun textures and sounds to further stimulate Baby. Recommended for ages 0-12 months.
$24.99, SmartNogginToys.com

Neven Maguire’s Complete Baby & Toddler Cookbook
Neven Maguire is a dad of 2-year-old twins and he won the 2014 title of Best Chef in Ireland at the Restaurant Association of Ireland Awards. This book features 200 quick and easy recipes for babies and toddlers. Food choices in the baby years can play a part in making sure kids develop a life-long habit of healthy eating, so give some of these recipes a try! From purees to frozen pops, there’s something every parent can learn to make.
$30, Amazon.com

Julie McKinley is a single work-at-home mom to a 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter. She is always on the lookout for innovative products that make life a little easier! She blogs at DirectorJewels.com